There are a few parts to this. Joe Biden appointed someone who has been instructed and or interested in doing these things. Lina Khan has been reviewing the rules around business practices people have been complaining about to the White House, and then opened comments on new proposed rules. People stepped up and registered interest in this happening in public comments. Voila, progress.
Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships – Agency acts after receiving more than 16,000 comments from the public October 16, 2024 The Federal Trade Commission today announced a final “click-to-cancel” rule that will require sellers to make it as easy for consumers to cancel their enrollment as it was to sign up. Most of the final rule’s provisions will go into effect 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register. “Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription,” said Commission Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want.”
All the comments in the world wouldn’t matter if someone in Lina Khan’s position at the FTC wants to let businesses off the hook. Obama’s FTC didn’t do this stuff. There is a big push to get Lina Khan out by the executive class.
My letter to VP Harris at the White House:
I am pleased with the FTC’s new click-to-cancel rule. I hope to see Lina Khan continue on at the FTC.
Please join me in sending the message.